So one man is to be placed on the cliff above her, and at
two o'clock in the morning, if she is still there, he is to light a
fire well back from the cliff, so that the light will not be seen by
her. Another man is to be on the top of the hill, where we were
together with a lantern. You see, we can just see the top of the hill
from here. When he sees the fire he is to show a light three times. If
he sees it answered here he will know it's all right, and his work is
done; if not, of course he shows the lights again until it's answered.
Now, they are going to leave you as one of the two signallers, and of
course all you will have to do will be to wait for a bit, and then
come down and join your friends."
"That is capital," Ralph said. "Nothing could be better. Now, what is
the other matter that you want my advice about, Jacques?"
"Well, you see, it will be awkward for the other man, for he will
either have the choice of coming down and giving himself up and being
carried off as a prisoner, or of stopping on this island perhaps for
years till a French ship happens to come along; for once off the Marie
will continue her cruise to the Indian seas, and the other two will
make straight for France. Of course there is another course which
might be taken. A boat might be hidden away for him, and he might go
for a cruise on his own account and take the chance of being picked
up.
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